The Complete Guide To Descaling Lattissima Nespresso

The water used to brew your espresso or coffee pods contains minerals that cause limescale to build up inside your espresso maker. Descaling Lattissima Nespresso removes those minerals. If left untreated, these minerals can have a negative impact on the temperature and taste of your coffee as well as the Lattissima’s water flow. That is why giving your machine this deep clean is essential to extending its life.

Keep reading to learn more about how to descale Nespresso Lattissima machines. I have written step by step instructions for every single Lattissima model. To begin the process, you will need a descaling solution kit like one of those I review below.

How Often To Descale Nespresso Lattissima Machines

In addition to daily cleaning, Nespresso recommends you descale your Lattissima every 3 months or 300 capsules, whichever comes first. If your tap has “hard water,” meaning it contains higher level of minerals, then you should clean your machine more frequently. If you are not sure about the level of minerals in your water, you can get a low-cost water testing kit.

Many Lattissima models will have a warning light or alert on the front of the machine that will notify when you it is time to descale. Even though you can still use your machine a few times after this warning light turns on, it is best to descale soon as possible. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to finish the process. It cannot be stopped so be sure to start only once you have all of the supplies you need and have enough time to finish it.

Why Descaling Lattissima Nespresso With Vinegar Is A Bad Idea

Nespresso warns that you should NOT descale your Lattissima with vinegar. White vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid. This specific type of acid can wear down metal and cause your espresso maker to leak. As a result, using vinegar to clean your Nespresso can void the warranty on your machine.

Instead of damaging your machine by using vinegar, you can use one of these descaling kits to maintain your Nespresso Lattissima. These kits contain safer and effective types of cleansing acids.

Nespresso Descaling Solution Reviews

Nespresso Descaling Solution

This is the official descaling solution kit made by Nespresso. Nespresso strongly recommends only using this descaler. It is compatible with all Nespresso Lattissima models. This descaling solution will gently eliminate the lime scale that has built up in your machine. Each pack contains 2 kits, so you’ll get two total uses out of it.

Impresa Coffee Machine Descaler

The Impresa descaler is a top selling coffee machine cleaner. It uses citric and sulfamic acids. Both are gentle on metal and aluminum. A pack has two bottles, each enough solution for two uses.

De’Longhi EcoDecalk Descaler

The De’Longhi Descaler is another Amazon customer favorite. It is made in Italy with high quality, plant-based lactic acid. This solution can be used to solve a descaling issue with any coffee machine, including those made by Breville. A 16.90 fl oz bottle contains enough solution for up to 5 uses.

How To Descale Nespresso Lattissima: Steps For Every Model

Gran Lattissima

1. Open the lever to eject any used capsule. Empty the drip tray, used capsule container, cup support and drop collector.
2. Remove the water tank. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your kit.
3. Locate the descaling pipe at the back of the machine. Plug it into the steam connector. Replace the water tank.
4. The machine will enter descale mode. The descaling alert will blink orange while the flat white button turns a steady white.
5. Place a 1L container under the descaling pipe nozzle and coffee outlet. Press the flat white button to begin the cycle. It will continue until the water tank is empty.
6. Empty and rinse the drip tray, used capsule container, cup support and drop collector. Also empty the 1L container and put it back in its place.
7. Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh drinking water to the MAX line.
8. Press the flat white button again to start the rinse cycle.
9. The machine will turn off when the rinse cycle is done. Carefully remove the descaling pipe (it may be hot) and return to the back of the machine.
10. Fill the empty water tank with fresh drinking water to the MAX line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JucjqS2WRVk

Lattissima One

The Lattissima One has a descaling alert that will shine orange when it is time to clean the machine. Follow these steps:

1. Open the lever to eject any used capsule. Empty the drip tray and used capsule container.
2. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your kit.
3. Place a 1L container under the coffee outlet. Turn the machine on.
4. Locate the descaling pipe at the back of the machine. Plug it into the steam connector.
5. The machine will enter descale mode. The descaling alert will blink orange while the espresso button turns a steady white.
6. Press the espresso button to begin the cycle. It will continue until the water tank is empty.
7. Empty and rinse the used capsule container, drip tray and container. Also empty the 1L container and put it back in its place.
8. Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh drinking water to the MAX line.
9. Press the espresso button again to start the rinse cycle.
10. The machine will turn off when the rinse cycle is done. Carefully remove the descaling pipe (it may be hot) and return to the back of the machine.
11. Fill the water reservoir with fresh drinking water to the MAX line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQM0iD1jLy8

Lattissima Pro

1. Open the lever to eject any used capsule. Empty the drip tray and used capsule container.
2. Enter the menu and browse until you see the descaling option. Select it. The display will guide you through the following steps:
3. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your kit.
4. Insert the hot water spout.
5. Place a 1L container under both the hot water spout and the coffee outlet.
6. Press to confirm and the descaling cycle will begin.
7. When done, empty the drip tray and capsule container again. Rinse with clean water.
8. Fill the water reservoir to the MAX line with fresh drinking water only.
9. Empty the 1L container and put it back in place.
10. Press to confirm and the rinse cycle will start.
11. The machine will switch off when the rinsing is done. Rinse the hot water spout with clean water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlJmHJlVEr0

Lattissima Plus

When the cappuccino button turns orange, it is time to descale the machine. Follow these steps:

1. Open the lever to eject any used capsule. Empty the drip tray and used capsule container.
2. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your kit. If using the Nespresso solution, fill the tank half way with water.
3. Locate the descaling pipe from its storage area. Push it onto the steam connector. You should now see that the cappuccino button is blinking orange.
4. Place a 1L container under the coffee outlet and descaling pipe.
5. Press the cappuccino button to begin the cycle. It will continue until the water tank is empty.
6. Empty and rinse the used capsule container, drip tray and container. Also empty the 1L container and put it back in its place.
7. Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh drinking water to the top.
8. Press the cappuccino button again to start the rinse cycle.
9. The machine will turn off when the rinse cycle is done. Carefully remove the descaling pipe (it may be hot) and return to the storage area
10. Fill the water tank with fresh drinking water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_hqLTx8NMo

Lattissima Touch

1. Open the lever to eject any used capsule. Empty the drip tray and used capsule container.
2. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the steps on your kit. If using the Nespresso solution, fill the tank half way with water.
3. Locate the descaling pipe from its storage area. Push it onto the steam connector. You should now see that the warm milk button is blinking orange.
4. Place a 1L container under the coffee outlet and descaling pipe.
5. Press the warm milk button to begin the cycle. It will continue until the water tank is empty.
6. Empty and rinse the used capsule container, drip tray and container. Also empty the 1L container and put it back in its place.
7. Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh drinking water to the top.
8. Press the warm milk button again to start the rinse cycle.
9. The machine will turn off when the rinse cycle is done. Carefully remove the descaling pipe (it may be hot) and return to the storage area
10. Fill the water tank with fresh drinking water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boHtcwNTw8k

What To Do If the Nespresso Lattissima Descale Light Stays On?

All Nespresso Lattissima models are designed to automattically exit descaling mode. If the descale light does not turn off, it means the process was not completed correctly. You may have waited too long in between steps, or maybe you did not allow the water tank to empty completely during the rinse cycle. Try running the descale program for you machine again, following all steps carefully. However, this time you can use only water. You don’t have to add any descaler to the tank. If the light continues to stay on after that, I would suggest you reset your Nespresso machine.